frenzy definition

English

Alternative forms

• phrenzy, phrensy (obsolete)

Etymology

From Middle English frensy, frenesie, from Old French frenesie, from Latin phrenesis, from Ancient Greek *φρένησις (*phrénēsis), a later equivalent of φρενῖτις (phrenîtis, “inflammation of the brain”): see frantic and frenetic.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈfɹɛnzi/

• Audio (US)

  (file)

Noun

frenzy (countable and uncountable, plural frenzies)

1. A state of wild activity or panic.

   She went into a cleaning frenzy to prepare for the unexpected guests.

   • 1983, Richard Ellis, The Book of Sharks, Knopf, →ISBN, page 170:

     It is during these frenzies that sharks have been known to bite everything in sight, including other sharks engaged in the same activity.

2. A violent agitation of the mind approaching madness; rage.
   • 1712 (date written), [Joseph] Addison, Cato, a Tragedy. […], London: […] J[acob] Tonson, […], published 1713, OCLC 79426475, Act I, scene ii, page 1:

     All else is towering frenzy and distraction.

   • c. 1595–1596 (date written), William Shakespeare, “A Midsommer Nights Dreame”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies: Published According to the True Originall Copies (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, OCLC 606515358, [Act V, scene i]:

     The poet's eye in a fine frenzy rolling.

Derived terms

• feeding frenzy

Related terms

• frantic
• frenetic
• frenzied
• schizophrenia

Translations

Adjective

frenzy (comparative more frenzy, superlative most frenzy)

1. (obsolete) Mad; frantic.
   • 1678 John Bunyan The Pilgrim's Progress:

     They thought that some frenzy distemper had got into his head.

Verb

frenzy (third-person singular simple present frenzies, present participle frenzying, simple past and past participle frenzied)

1. (uncommon) To render frantic.
   • 1833, James Anthony Froude, Fraser's Magazine - Volume 7‎^[1], page 456:

     Both goaded on to strife by frenzying hate.

   • 1865, Gerrit Smith, Speeches and Letters of Gerrit Smith‎^[2], page 14:

     Then there is the absorbing, not to say frenzying, interest, which attends our important elections.

2. (rare) To exhibit a frenzy, such as a feeding frenzy.
   • 2009, Louise Southerden, Surf's Up: The Girl's Guide to Surfing‎^[3], →ISBN:

     The fresh smell of salt air, the sound of the crashing swell, the soothing immersion in the water, the sight of dolphins playing and fish frenzying beneath my board.

Further reading

• frenzy in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913.
• frenzy in The Century Dictionary, New York, N.Y.: The Century Co., 1911.
• frenzy at OneLook Dictionary Search.